Conclusion: The results showed that the Citrullus colocynthis fruit treatment with known gastrointestinal toxicity has beneficial effect as a complimentary therapy on improving glycemic profile in type II diabetic patients. The use of this herbal medicine in the dose of 300 mg in 3 divided doses showed no severe gasterointestinal symptom or liver and kidney abnormality during two months of therapy. The long term efficacy and toxicity of Citrullus colocynthis may be investigated in a large multi center clinical study.

Backgrounds and Aims: Securigera securidaca (L.) seeds are used by traditional herbalists for the treatment of diabetes in several parts of Iran. Clinical investigation of its efficacy and its toxicity in diabetic patients is of importance. Methods: A 2-month randomized double blind clinical trial was conducted in 70 type II diabetic patients in two well – matched groups. One group (n=35) received 500 mg Securigera securidaca (L.) seeds capsule 3 times a day plus standard therapy, while the control group (n=35) received placebo plus standard therapy. The patients were visited monthly and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, LDL and HDL, triglyceride, SGOT, SGPT, ALK, BUN, serum creatinine levels were determined at the beginning and the end of the study after two months. Results: There was no significant change in HbA1c and fasting blood glucose level in Securigera securidaca (L.) seeds treated patients after two months as compared to beginning of the treatment and also as compare to placebo group. Serum lipid level also did not change significantly. The liver enzyme level and creatinine level in blood did not change significantly in Securigera securidaca (L.) seeds treated patients. No side effect was observed in any of patients in both of the groups. Conclusion: The results show that the Securigera securidaca (L.) seeds treatment with known antidiabetic property in traditional herbal therapy has no beneficial effect on improving glycemic profile in type II diabetic patients. The use of this herbal medicine in the dose of 1500mg in 3 divided dose showed no gasterointestinal symptom as well as liver and kidney abnormality during two months therapy. The long term efficacy and toxicity of this herbal medicine in higher dosage may be investigated in large multi center clinical study.

Background: Wound infection is one of the frequent complications in patients with surgical operations. Staphylococcus aureus is the most common cause of surgical wound infections. Origanum vulgare, a common culinary herb, has been shown to have strong antimicrobial activity, especially against Gram-positive pathogens.
Objective: This study was designed to investigate the antibacterial effects of O. vulgare on S. aureus in surgical wounds using a rat model.
Methods: Twenty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided randomly into two groups of treatment and control rats (1:1). A circular incision was made on the dorsal inter-scapular region of each rat. Then, rats were inoculated topically with 1 × 10⁴ CFU of S. aureus at the site of skin wounds. O. vulgare extract was applied to wounds twice a day during the experiment. Animals of the control group were left untreated.
Results: The load of bacteria in untreated rats was 7 × 10⁶ ± 6 CFU/wound while this was 2 × 10⁵ ±1 CFU/wound for the treatment animals, which was significantly lower.
Conclusion: Results have showed that topical application of O. vulgare extract on the infected wounds included significant antibacterial activity against S. aureus.

Background: Exposure of the skin against occupational hazards is growing every day. Many scientists are trying to identify aspects about the mechanisms of damages done to the skin by them. The skin is the second metabolism organ of the body where redox-dependent metabolic pathways overcome. By considering the UV index, Iranians are at high risk of UVB damage by generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that leads to skin aging.
Objective: In this study, we discuss the effects of the UVB rays on redox system; evaluate and compare the protective role of Silymarin and Vitamin C against UVB-induced skin aging.
Method: Male Balb/C mice were divided into 6 groups of 6 mices: Silymarin, Vitamin C, Control, UVB exposed, UVB exposed treated with Silymarin and UVB exposed treated with Vitamin C. The inhibitory effect of Silymarin and Vitamin C for skin aging were determined by wrinkle formation, epidermal thickness and dermal inflammation. The anti-photo aging effects of Silymarin and Vitamin C have been assessed by SOD, GSH, GSH_PX and TAC kits.
Results: The flake in UVB irradiated groups was significantly different (P<0.05). The mean length of the wrinkle in UVB irradiated group very significantly increased (P<0.01) and the collagen reduction, increased in very high significant different in aged control group (P<0.001). The mean TAC in VitaminC group increased very significantly high. (P <0.0001)
Conclusion: The results indicate that the Silymarin and Vitamin C have anti-photo aging effects suggested to use in anti-wrinkle, anti erythematosus, anti-inflammatory topical cosmetics products.